Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Crafted by Joseph J. Wagner, 4th generation winemaker, with winemaking roots in the Napa Valley since 1906. Deep Ruby with red berry fruit aromas, tea and sweet spice notes. On the palate flavors of jammy blackberry and cherry with pronounced sweet vanilla oak, cacao and pepper spice notes. Soft tannins and bright acidity, well balanced, with mineral tones on a long finish ending with toasty spice! Nice! — 20 hours ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.4

Last bottle. Still plenty of dark fruit and salt. Medium body. — 7 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2004 vintage. This was a highlight reel. Acidity, dirty, pretty, fabulous mousse, delicate, concentrated, fruit, long finish. It had it all at some point in the tasting experience. Looks to go long in this state…at least another 7-8 years (till 2033) without any noticeable dropoff. Can’t remember the last time I had a better rosé brut. Magical. 03.01.25. — 12 days ago

Alan Weinberg

9.2

At first underwhelming, started to gain after 30 minutes and was a fine bottle. Never became amazing. Drink up. — 11 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.6

Wow! So glad I bought a bottle of this. Funky on opening. After 2 hours it is so good. Violets, roses, cherry, baking spice is in background, there’s an earth/herbal component I cannot pinpoint. It is so drinkable but evolves with almost every sip. Need more Pinots like this in my life. — 5 days ago

Yan Gagnon

8.9

Domaine
Au Bon Climat (Santa Barbara County, Californie)
Présentation
Ce Pinot Noir d'entrée de gamme figure parmi les références incontournables du célèbre ouvrage "Les 1001 vins à boire dans sa vie", témoignant de sa qualité remarquable malgré son positionnement tarifaire accessible.
Examen visuel
Belle robe rubis aux reflets brillants, limpide et d'une intensité moyenne.
Nez
Expressif et séduisant, dominé par un beau fruit frais. Notes de cerise mûre et de fraise des bois se mêlant élégamment à des nuances d'épices douces (cannelle, clou de girofle). Une intrigante touche d'iode apporte une dimension saline et minérale qui complexifie l'ensemble.
Bouche
Attaque franche et fraîche, avec une belle acidité qui structure le vin et lui confère une grande vivacité. Le fruit s'exprime pleinement, particulièrement la cerise qui persiste en milieu de bouche. Tanins fins et soyeux. Finale élégante et savoureuse, d'une longueur moyenne, laissant une impression de fraîcheur.
Conclusion
Un Pinot Noir californien d'une belle fraîcheur et d'un équilibre remarquable, illustrant parfaitement le savoir-faire d'Au Bon Climat. À savourer avec patience compte tenu des droits de douane qui en limitent l'accès. — 5 days ago

John Willison

9.1

Crushed red and blue fruit, cherry cola, sweet tannins. — 13 days ago

Mark Rosse

9.5

Decanted for a half hour. Red berries and underbrush very complex flavors. Tremendous mid palate and was starting to shut down after about an hour in. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.7

Oh boy…is this real life? A DRC from back in the days when Lalou was involved in the process. Enjoyed out of the Baccarat DRC glass which is hilarious to behold but I’ll be damned if wasn’t a pretty effective glass. The 1988 Richebourg pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe and slightly desiccated red and black fruits: strawberry, spiced meat, red flowers, forest floor, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with lovely, savory minerals. There is so much density. Honestly, this still needs a ton of air. It’s remarkable how youthful it’s showing. Drink now with loads of patience and through 2038. Bottle No. 4044. — 17 days ago

Mark Rosse

9.4

Great bottle! No 🐞 problem with this one. Quite complex and in a very good way right now. — 4 hours ago